Kshamata

What Kshamata does

Kshamata is a non-profit organization founded in 2011 in Thane, Maharashtra, by Bharathy Tahiliani, dedicated to the rehabilitation and reintegration of women and adolescent girls who are survivors of trafficking, exploitation, gender-based violence, homelessness, and destitution. The organization operates a multi-program portfolio — the Kshamata Outreach Program (reaching women in state-run and private shelter homes, brothel communities, and high-risk areas), the Kshamata Transformation Program/KTP (residential rehabilitation at the Kshamata Transformation Centre with trauma counselling, life skills, vocational training, and education for women aged 18–28), and Kshamata Unlimited/KULT, an in-house social enterprise providing sheltered employment through vocational training in tailoring, embroidery, eco-friendly jewellery, handcrafted products, and block printing. Supporting components include the Day Care Initiative, Safe Horizons co-living units (21 established across Mumbai and Thane over ten years, with 4 currently operational), and Alumni Engagement for sustained peer mentorship.

The organization's intervention model is anchored in a proprietary 4E Reintegration Framework (ENGAGE, EQUIP, EMPOWER, EVOLVE) structured over more than two years, supported by a 9 Dimensions Model for holistic empowerment and a multidisciplinary team of social workers, counsellors, trainers, mentors, and caregivers. Kshamata functions without proprietary technology platforms — services are delivered through in-person programs, shelter infrastructure, and community-based outreach — and it does not charge beneficiaries. Revenue is generated through a mixed model: donations and grants from individual donors, foundations (Azim Premji Foundation, SBI Foundation), corporate CSR (Apraava Energy, Rotary Clubs), international agencies (UNICEF Maharashtra, Catholic Relief Services, Kindled Spirit UK), and earned income from KULT's sale of handcrafted products (upcycled jewellery, bags, garments, home décor, festive items) through institutional exhibitions, corporate gifting, e-commerce, and direct orders. Kshamata holds FCRA certification (valid through 2030), 12A/80G tax exemptions, and Darpan Portal registration, and serves beneficiaries across Maharashtra with a 31-person team.

Name

Kshamata

Legal name

Kshamata

Website

https://kshamata.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kshamata is a Thane-based non-profit founded in 2011 that rehabilitates and reintegrates women and adolescent girl survivors of trafficking, exploitation, and gender-based violence across Maharashtra through residential programs, vocational training, social enterprise (KULT), and co-living units.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services / Anti-Trafficking Rehabilitation

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Benefits Counseling & Financial Literacy for Transition-Age Youth (EDAKANAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM), Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK), Transition Services (Secondary to Postsecondary/Employment, Life Skills) (EDAJAKAG)

Keywords

• Anti-trafficking rehabilitation
• Survivor reintegration services
• Vocational training women
• Shelter home programs
• Social enterprise livelihoods

Headquarters

HQ city

Thane

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Kshamata receives funding from individual donors, foundations, corporations, and government sources. Key donors include Azim Premji Foundation, SBI Foundation, Rotary clubs, and international organizations. The organization also receives COVID-related funding from UNICEF Maharashtra and Catholic Relief Services.
2. Product Sales (KULT Social Enterprise): Kshamata Unlimited (KULT) generates revenue through sale of handcrafted products including jewellery, bags, garments, home décor, and festive items. Products are sold through institutional exhibitions, government and corporate orders, ethical gifting platforms, and digital channels including social media and e-commerce portals.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kshamata runs a non-profit rehabilitation and reintegration platform for women and adolescent girls who are survivors of trafficking, exploitation, gender-based violence, homelessness, and destitution. Its core services span outreach into shelter homes and brothel communities, residential transformation through the Kshamata Transformation Programme (KTP) and Transformation Centre (KTC), day care support, co-living transitional housing (Safe Horizons), and a social enterprise (Kshamata Unlimited / KULT) that provides vocational training and income via handcrafted product sales.

Product overview

Kshamata is a non-profit organization that operates as a multi-program platform for empowering women and adolescent girls who are survivors of trafficking, exploitation, and gender-based violence. The organization offers three interconnected core programs: the Kshamata Outreach Program (reaching women in shelter homes and high-risk areas), the Kshamata Transformation Program/KTP (residential rehabilitation and reintegration through the Transformation Centre, Day Care, Co-living Units, and Alumni Engagement), and Kshamata Unlimited/KULT (a social enterprise providing sheltered employment and vocational training in handcrafts). These programs are supported by initiatives like the Super 50 Project and Utkarsh Micro Business. The product portfolio also includes handcrafted goods—upcycled fabric jewellery, bags & pouches, gift items, home décor, garments, and festive creations—produced by women in the program and sold through institutional exhibitions, corporate orders, and ethical gifting platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kult: Kshamata Unlimited (KULT) is an in-house social enterprise initiative offering a sheltered employment model for women on their journey toward economic independence. It provides vocational training in tailoring, embroidery, eco-friendly jewellery, and handcrafted product-making.
• KTC
• Safe Horizons

Products and services

• Kshamata Outreach Program Field-based engagement program working with women and adolescent girls in state-run and privately managed shelter homes, brothel communities, and high-risk areas across Maharashtra. Provides counselling, exposure to alternative livelihoods, skills training, and preparation for independent living through a 9-dimension framework.
• Kshamata Transformation Program (KTP) Holistic rehabilitation and reintegration initiative for women survivors aged 18–28. Provides residential care at the Kshamata Transformation Centre (KTC), trauma counselling, life skills, vocational training, job readiness, and access to education through a 9 Dimensions Model.
• Kshamata Unlimited (KULT) In-house social enterprise providing sheltered employment for women transitioning from KTP. Offers vocational training in tailoring, embroidery, eco-friendly jewellery, and handcrafted products. Women earn while they learn, with products sold through institutional exhibitions, corporate orders, and ethical gifting platforms.
• Upcycled Fabric Jewellery Eco-friendly handcrafted jewellery line including fabric jewellery, kalamkari cloth jewellery, katha work fabric jewellery, and khun cloth jewellery, made from upcycled fabrics by women survivors.
• Bags & Pouches Handcrafted bag and pouch line including tote bags, clutches, cosmetic pouches, laptop sleeves, sling bags, gym bags, pencil pouches, and tiffin bags made by women artisans.
• Gift Items & Accessories Eco-friendly gift items and accessories including scarves, dupattas, diaries, frames, and iPad sleeves handcrafted by women survivors.
• Home Décor Hand-painted frames and home décor items crafted by women artisans, featuring distinctive designs intended to add character and warmth to interiors.
• Garments Upcycled, bespoke garments including jackets, scarves, kurtis, skirts, and shorts, made by women artisans through KULT.
• Festive Creations Handcrafted festive items including diyas, potlis, rakhi, and keychains made by women artisans, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,000+ women reached through programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 36 SkillscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational training partner providing job placement support for survivors. Kshamata Transformation Program graduate Ella works in digital marketing at 36 Skills, earning Rs 12,000 per month.
• Ashoka Support NetworkminorOthersAdvisor Nikunj Jhaveri is the first Indian member of Ashoka Support Network, providing strategic guidance and mentorship.
• The Nudge InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisor Nikunj Jhaveri serves as Social Entrepreneurship Partner at The Nudge Institute.
• De Montfort University (UK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Kindled Spirit and De Montfort University (UK) to conduct Mental Health Literacy Workshop 'Healing of the Healers' (February 2025). In 2025, partnered to train care workers supporting young women in India's red-light areas.
• Workers' Educational Association (WEA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory partner Nusrat Hathiari serves as Head of Partnerships at WEA, with two decades dedicated to inclusive adult education.
• Institute of Employment StudiesminorOthersAdvisory partner Nusrat Hathiari serves on the board of Institute of Employment Studies, driving inclusive workforce research.
• weCHANGEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner collaborating with Kshamata for holistic interventions. Founder Shridhar Lokanathan featured in testimonials.
• Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for program design and research. Program Director Pratishtha Kale served as Program Officer at TISS in collaboration with Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission.
• Tata StrivecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVocational training partner providing retail management courses and job placement support. Multiple survivors (including Priya) enrolled in courses through this partnership.
• AmazonminorOthersE-commerce platform partner for product sales and distribution through KULT social enterprise.
• SanvedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner collaborating on social interventions and empowerment programs.
• Tribes for GoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner providing expertise and strategic support for impact initiatives.
• PrathamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner collaborating on literacy and skill development programs.
• Justice and CareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnti-trafficking NGO partner for collaborative interventions.
• PreranaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnti-trafficking organization partner for intervention programs.
• PurnataminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for community interventions.
• Rescue FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for rescue and rehabilitation initiatives.
• The Salvation ArmyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for shelter and support programs.
• Living Water MissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization where survivor Vandana was placed before joining Kshamata.
• Ribbons and BalloonsminorOthersCake shop where survivor Resham was placed for on-the-job training, eventually working there for three years in supervisory role.
• DLSA (District Legal Services Authority)minorOthersGovernment partner supporting Kshamata Livelihood Centre at Navjeevan Shelter Home.
• DWCD (Department of Women and Child Development)coreOthersGovernment department partner for shelter home programs and Safe Horizons co-living initiative inauguration with officers Rekha Hire and Swapnil More.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Prerana: Mumbai-based anti-trafficking NGO operating in red-light areas, providing alternative livelihood and shelter services. Directly comparable to Kshamata in target population, geography, and intervention model.
• Tara Projects: India-based fair-trade social enterprise producing handcrafted goods with marginalized artisan communities. Directly comparable to Kshamata's KULT social enterprise in the integrated livelihood-and-empowerment model.
• Praful Foundation: Mumbai-based organization working on women's empowerment and anti-trafficking initiatives. Comparable in geography, target beneficiaries, and intervention approach.
• Srujna: Mumbai-based women's empowerment and livelihood organization that supported Kshamata with COVID-related funding. Comparable in geographic focus, target beneficiaries, and women-led livelihood programs.
• Rescue Foundation: India-based anti-trafficking organization providing rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration services for trafficking survivors. Listed as a Kshamata development partner; operates similar residential and reintegration programs.
• Apne Aap Women's Collective: India-based anti-trafficking and women's empowerment organization working with women and girls in vulnerable communities. Listed in Kshamata's data as a former employer of its Program Director, reflecting similar mission and operating model.

Emerging players

• Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA): India-based child rights and anti-trafficking organization founded by Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi. Operates broader child-focused interventions but shares Kshamata's anti-trafficking and survivor rehabilitation focus.

Regional players

• Justice and Care: UK-headquartered anti-trafficking organization with India operations. Listed as a Kshamata development partner; comparable mission around rescue, rehabilitation, and prosecution support for trafficking survivors.
• CORO India: Maharashtra-based community empowerment organization working on women, livelihood, and governance. Comparable geographic footprint and community-led intervention approach.

Broad incumbents

• International Justice Mission (IJM): Global anti-trafficking and modern slavery organization with operations across India. Operates at much larger scale with broader portfolio including legal advocacy, rescue operations, and aftercare — overlapping with Kshamata on survivor rehabilitation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/kshamata.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kshamatango

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kshamata